Candy Louise Peterson Nelson

Our sweet Candy passed away peacefully on January 11th surrounded by her family. Candy fought her battle with pancreatic cancer using the same tenacious spirit that she used living all of her 52 years.
Walt and Christine Peterson brought Candy into our world on March 28, 1970 in Buffalo, New York. The family expanded to include Candy's sister, Wendy, and eventually moved to the Seattle area. The entire Peterson family made lifelong friendships in their neighborhood, with many of Candy's friends sharing how their lives were shaped by the foundation created there. Candy excelled in school, loving her friendships and being a part of a variety of sports teams. She loved sharing stories about her dive team and her basketball days. Candy attended the University of Puget Sound, graduating with honors obtaining a BA in Physical Education and Sports Medicine. Once again, during her college years she made lifelong friendships and created memories which she would later share with a giggle over a glass of wine. Candy was a member of the Tri-Delta sorority and her one and only tattoo was three simple triangles on her ankle. She loved the connection of the sorority and so enjoyed catching up with her Tri-Delt sisters. Candy finished her education at Eastern Washington School of Physical Therapy, eventually joining the team at Kitsap Physical Therapy in 2002. She dedicated her work life to helping others recover from injuries.
Candy met Gordon Nelson in 2003, discovering in him a partner who shared a passion for the game of golf. It was only fitting that a few years later they joined their lives on the beautiful grounds of McCormick Woods Golf Course. Candy and Gordon brought Colin into our world in 2007 and the little Nelson family was truly the greatest honor of Candy's life. To simply say that Candy loved being a wife and a mother is an understatement; there are not words adequate enough to describe the pure joy she experienced in her family. The Nelsons moved to Gig Harbor, creating a very similar childhood foundation for Colin that Candy so treasured from her childhood.
The Gig Harbor community has been forever improved by Candy's involvement in PTA and Little League, coaching basketball teams and volunteering at schools. Candy spearheaded a fundraising effort to create a new playground at Artondale Elementary, creating a safe, yet fun space for children where they could laugh and play. She had a passion for not only creating memories, but also recording them. She would never attend a ball game without her trusty camera and long-range lens. She loved taking action photos not only of Colin, but also all of his teammates, and then sharing them with the parents, creating for them a treasured memory.
Candy loved the Seahawks and attending games with friends and family. She loved the outdoors, taking in beautiful sunrises and sunsets, kayaking in the waters around Gig Harbor, and going on the infamous moonrise hikes. Candy treasured the annual week spent with family and friends at Lake Chelan and the memories she created there over the last 32 years. She was so much to so many throughout her 52 years, and her presence with us will be missed greatly. Each of us has our moments, and, because Candy was always quick to say, "Let's take a photo," we all have photos with her to bring us peace and comfort as we navigate our way without her presence.
Candy is preceded in death by her mother, Christine. She is survived by her husband, Gordon, and her son, Colin, her father, Walt, her sister, Wendy Kostecka of Seattle, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and treasured friends.
Please join us as we celebrate Candy's life on March 26,, 2023, at 3:00pm at Chapel Hill Church located at 7700 Skansie Avenue, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Gig Harbor Little League. The donations will be used to continue Candy's love of photographing players and to provide scholarships for baseball and softball. Gifts are tax-deductible and checks can be made out to Gig Harbor Little League, designating "Candy's Fund" in the memo line. Mail to PO Box 2176, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.
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